NATIVE’S HEROISM

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 9 January 1930, Page 9

NATIVE’S HEROISM

DIVES INTO HUGE SEAS LAUNCH SECURED IN STORM NORTH QUEENSLAND FLOODS. {U nited Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) Received 1.30 p.m. to-day. BRISBANE, Jan. 9. The launch Euphemia, with 10 Cairns men and two natives on board, for whose safety fears had been entertained, arrived safely at Cairns. The launch was caught in the fierce storm on Saturday night, when the anchor was dropped on Scott's Reef. A native boy. Pedro, fearing the anchor would not hold, dived into the mountainous seas and secured the anchor to the reef. He then stood watch throughout the night. The owner, Jorgenson, said: “Nothing but the devotion and the magnificent swimming powers of Pedro saved us from death.” The lugger Spray became a total wreck early on Saturday a short distance from where the Euphemia anchored. Heavy rain continues in northern Queensland and all railway traffic is interfered with- The Tully River has overrun its banks and the water is spreading over the countryside. V ater on tire Bellendon Plains is six feet deep over the railway lines, and the Herbert River has risen ten feet over the railway- bridge.'